CoPS/IMPACT Working Paper Number G-178

Title: Does it Matter Whether Market Distortions are Evaluated Using
Comparative-statics or Dynamics?

Authors: Peter G. Mavromatis and George Verikios

Abstract

We analyse the welfare outcomes of market distortions using a general-equilibrium
model of a small, open economy that captures the trade-theoretic continuum from specific
factors to Heckscher-Ohlin. We show the importance of two intrinsically dynamic phenomena
on evaluating market distortions: structural change and imperfect factor mobility. We
find that when these phenomena are captured in a dynamic framework, market distortions
can generate welfare effects that contradict those generated by a comparative-static
framework. We also find that the degree of factor mobility is important for accurately
estimating the size of welfare effects. Our results suggest that market distortions
should be evaluated in a dynamic framework that represents structural change and
imperfect factor mobility, and that the degree of factor mobility should be treated as a
parameter whose value is uncertain and subjected to sensitivity analysis.